Sergeant Major Gerald Saunders, MCINCR - MCB Quantico sergeant major, thanks Fannie Black, the widow of Sgt. Maj. Henry Holstead Black during a wreath laying ceremony Nov. 10 at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, Va. Sergeant Major Black served as the seventh Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from 1975 to 1977. During his career Black served as a drill instructor, recruiter and infantryman. His was deployed to the Dominican Republic, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. His success in the aforementioned duties warranted the Bronze Star with valor device and two award stars, Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon - Sergeant Major Gerald Saunders, MCINCR - MCB Quantico sergeant major, thanks Fannie Black, the widow of Sgt. Maj. Henry Holstead Black during a wreath laying ceremony Nov. 10 at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, Va. Sergeant Major Black served as the seventh Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from 1975 to 1977. During his career Black served as a drill instructor, recruiter and infantryman. His was deployed to the Dominican Republic, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. His success in the aforementioned duties warranted the Bronze Star with valor device and two award stars, Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon

Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Henry and Sgt. Maj. Scott D. Hamm, pictured in the center with Brig. Gen. Thomas D. Weidley and other sergeants major, are the first enlisted Marines to be admitted to and graduate from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, which is part of Marine Corps University. They both graduated with master’s of military studies degrees after the 10-month resident program at Marine Corps Base Quanticol on June 4. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Fernandez/Released) - Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Henry and Sgt. Maj. Scott D. Hamm, pictured in the center with Brig. Gen. Thomas D. Weidley and other sergeants major, are the first enlisted Marines to be admitted to and graduate from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, which is part of Marine Corps University. They both graduated with master’s of military studies degrees after the 10-month resident program at Marine Corps Base Quanticol on June 4. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Fernandez/Released)

Sgts. Maj. Gerald Saunders and Michael Moore listen to Col. Robin Gallant, Headquarters and Service Battalion commanding officer, during a relief and appointment ceremony at Little Hall on Feb. 19, 2014. Saunders assumed his current duties as H&S Bn. sergeant major after completing a tour at a recruiting station in Albany, N.Y. - Sgts. Maj. Gerald Saunders and Michael Moore listen to Col. Robin Gallant, Headquarters and Service Battalion commanding officer, during a relief and appointment ceremony at Little Hall on Feb. 19, 2014. Saunders assumed his current duties as H&S Bn. sergeant major after completing a tour at a recruiting station in Albany, N.Y.

In a post-and-relief ceremony at Geiger Hall on June 4, Brig. Gen. John W. Simmons, commanding general of Training Command, passes the ceremonial noncommissioned officer sword to Sgt. Maj. William Sowers, the command’s new sergeant major. Sowers is the former sergeant major of Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Sgt. Maj. Paul McKenna was relieved of his post as the command sergeant major at the ceremony and will head to Okinawa to join the 3rd Marine Division. Having patrolled with Sowers in Afghanistan, McKenna said he “knew immediately he has the leadership and the talent that is needed in a command like this.” - In a post-and-relief ceremony at Geiger Hall on June 4, Brig. Gen. John W. Simmons, commanding general of Training Command, passes the ceremonial noncommissioned officer sword to Sgt. Maj. William Sowers, the command’s new sergeant major. Sowers is the former sergeant major of Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Sgt. Maj. Paul McKenna was relieved of his post as the command sergeant major at the ceremony and will head to Okinawa to join the 3rd Marine Division. Having patrolled with Sowers in Afghanistan, McKenna said he “knew immediately he has the leadership and the talent that is needed in a command like this.”

Screech, the Washington National's Mascot, poses with the starting lineup of Marines at Marine Corps day at Nationals Park on May 8, 2013. Marine Corps day is the first of five branch-themed days National's Park has scheduled for the season to recognize and show appreciation for the men and women who serve in the United States armed forces. - Screech, the Washington National's Mascot, poses with the starting lineup of Marines at Marine Corps day at Nationals Park on May 8, 2013. Marine Corps day is the first of five branch-themed days National's Park has scheduled for the season to recognize and show appreciation for the men and women who serve in the United States armed forces.

In a relief and appointment ceremony held May 7, 2013, at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Col. Willard Buhl, commanding officer of Wounded Warrior Regiment, left, passes the ceremonial sword to Sgt. Maj. Michael Mack, the regiment’s new sergeant major, as Sgt. Maj. Joseph VanFonda, outgoing sergeant major, center, looks on. Mack arrives from Recruiting Station Orange in Santa Ana, Calif., where he was the station sergeant major. VanFonda was presented with a meritorious service medal for his two years with the regiment, during which he established the unit’s standard policy for medical retirement and transition, as well as the first meritorious promotions program for wounded warriors, and also advocated for the Permanent and Expanded Limited Duty Board, which opened combat positions to Marines with amputations. - In a relief and appointment ceremony held May 7, 2013, at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Col. Willard Buhl, commanding officer of Wounded Warrior Regiment, left, passes the ceremonial sword to Sgt. Maj. Michael Mack, the regiment’s new sergeant major, as Sgt. Maj. Joseph VanFonda, outgoing sergeant major, center, looks on. Mack arrives from Recruiting Station Orange in Santa Ana, Calif., where he was the station sergeant major. VanFonda was presented with a meritorious service medal for his two years with the regiment, during which he established the unit’s standard policy for medical retirement and transition, as well as the first meritorious promotions program for wounded warriors, and also advocated for the Permanent and Expanded Limited Duty Board, which opened combat positions to Marines with amputations.